9.5 out of 10

Sony DSLR-A700

12.24 megapixels

Information found in: from 137 sources in 26 countries.

Best Price: $1,039

  • User Score (91)
    9.5 9.5 from 91 reviewers
  • Expert Score (30)
    8.2 8.2 from 30 reviewers
  • Design (16)
    9.4 9.4 from 16 reviewers
  • Value for money (13)
    9.1 9.1 from 13 reviewers
  • Features (10)
    9.3 9.3 from 10 reviewers
  • Ease of use (4)
    9.2 9.2 from 4 reviewers
  • Performance (2)
    9.1 9.1 from 2 reviewers
  • Picture quality (9)
    9.5 9.5 from 9 reviewers
  • Buzz Index: 4/5
  • Activity: 1/5

Lowest Prices

US1 Camera In stock (S) $1,039 GO
Abe's Of Maine In stock (PS) $1,069 GO
Sony Style In stock (S) $1,099 GO

Prices from PriceSCAN (PS), Shopping (S)

List All 35 Prices

Transferring of photos can be done through the USB 2.0 port. It also has a video output too. Focusing can be set to manual or auto and its resolution is 12 megapixels. It does not have a movie mode. The image size is 4288x2856 pixels and its ISO range is 100-6400. The metering options can be spot, center weighted or multi-pattern. It also has superior built quality.

More Specifications

Sony’s DLSR-A700 has an anti-shake feature that is built in. It too enables decent handling. The configurations are easy to modify and it also has a rapid shooting speed. There are also fine color gradation and focus point selections. Some things that need to be remembered before buying this camera are that the images are on the soft side, the images tend to be noisy after ISO 1600 and that there is no top mounted on the LCD plate.

Manufacturer's Specs

  • License Agreements
    End User License Agreements
  • Weights and Measurements
    Dimensions (Approx.) : (WHD) 5 5/8" x 4 1/4" x 3 1/4" (141.7 x 104.8 x 79.7 mm) (excl. protrusions)
  • Convenience
    Burst Mode : Selectable Hi (5FPS) Lo (3FPS); JPEG Standard/Fine: Unlimited to capacity of media; JPEG Extra Fine: 8; cRAW (compressed): 24; cRAW+JPEG: 12; RAW: 17; RAW+JPEG: 11.
  • Hardware
    LCD : 3.0" TFT Xtra Fine™ (921k pixels) LCD
  • Convenience Features
    AF Illuminator Light : Yes, On/Off Select
  • General
    Imaging Device : 12.24 (effective) APS Exmor™ Sensor; 23.5 x 15.6 mm; RGB primary color filter
  • Power
    Battery Capacity : 7.2V, CIPA standard: approx. 650 pictures 3
  • Processor
    BIONZ™ Engine : Yes w/ Dynamic Range Optimizer. DRO Modes include Off, Standard, Advanced Auto, Advanced Manual, Advanced 3-frame bracketing. Advanced Manual include 5 adjustable levels.
  • Optics/Lens
    EV Compensation : ±3.0 EV, 0.3 EV / 0.5 EV steps selectable
  • Operating Conditions
    Flash Effective Range : Manual popup; Approx. GN 12 (in meters at ISO 100); Coverage of up to 16 mm (in focal length); Approx. 3 sec. recycling time; Flash-ready indicator.

Review Summary

Following the success of the Sony DSLR-A100 from last year, Sony and Konica Minolta have teamed up to create the 12-megapixel Sony Alpha 700. Based on the Minolta Maxxum 7D body, this new Alpha model features a durable magnesium alloy shell over an aluminum chassis and is sealed to be dust and moisture resistant. The A700 features loads of useful settings, like creative style modes, high-speed shooting, and Sony’s exclusive Super SteadyShot image. It weighs 1.75 pounds and it is solid and well made, making it exceptionally comfortable and stable to hold. Operating the A700 is not complicated. As there is no monochrome display on the top, settings can be set via a combination of direct-access buttons and the LCD. There’s a function button that activates the Quick Nav interactive information display of all your current settings, which you comfortably navigate via a big joystick. Only focus modes (single-shot, continuous, single/continuous autoselection, and manual) and the three metering modes (spot, evaluative, and center-weighted) have their own selection switches. You can control shutter speed, aperture, exposure compensation, and program shift with dials. The Sony DSLR-A700 includes a solid set of really practical features, including SteadyShot sensor-shift image stabilization, a built-in wireless flash transmitter and dual memory-card slots. It also provides Eye-Start AF, one can choose how long the AF area displays, as well as set both minimum and maximum values for the Auto ISO range. Overall the camera’s performance is great with excellent photo quality. Sony has provided different kits available for the A700, namely a kit with an f/3.5-to-f/4.6, 18mm to 70mm lens; a kit with an f/3.5-to-f/5.6, 18mm to 200mm lens; and a dual-lens kit with 18mm to 70mm lens and an f/3.5-to-f/6.3, 75mm to 300mm lens. If you opt for a kit, the dual-lens package looks like the best value. The only disadvantage is the batteries finish fast.

Capture the moment with today’s most exciting DSLR. Shoot in razor-sharp detail with 12.24 megapixel clarity, quicker response and greater creativity. Save $300 instantly when you buy with the SAL-…

Ask the community

Need more advice? Ask the community a question.

  1. Reviewer: Macworld
    19 March 2008
    Overall 6
    6.0
     

    It’s been over two years since Sony released the Alpha DSLR-A100K ( ), its first digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera. The DSLR-A100K was a good camera based on technology that Sony acquired from Konica Minolta's DSLR division, but two years is a long time in the digital photography universe. Camera technology has changed since the DSLR-A100K’s release. Now, Sony has released the newest in its Alpha line, the Alpha DSLR-A700. With some important upgrades and... Read more

  2. Sony a700 DSLR

    Reviewer: Think Camera
    03 January 2008
    Overall 8
    8.0
    Design 9
    9.0
    Value for money 7
    7.0
    Features 7
    7.0
    Picture quality 8
    8.0
     

    The Sony DSLR-A700 is fantastic to use and comes highly recommended - however, if Sony's gameplan is to be at the top of the DSLR tree, this one climbs a couple of branches, not the whole redwood. Plus, there's some stiff competition to contend with, such as the Canon 40D, which manages to include Live View and cost less in the process. But, if you're thinking of buying a camera, then go and actually handle the Sony - that is where you will feel the functionality ... Read more

  3. Reviewer: DP Review
    19 December 2007
    Overall 9
    9.0
    Value for money 9
    9.0
    Features 10
    10
    Performance 9
    9.0
    Picture quality 9
    9.0
     

    It's been almost two years since Konica Minolta pulled out of the photo business and transferred its entire camera division to Sony, and well over a year since the first Sony DSLR (the DSLR-A100) was announced. Two years is a long time in the digital SLR market, but the three years Minolta (latterly Konica Minolta, now Sony) SLR users have been waiting for a high end model to replace the innovative Maxxum (Dynax) 7D must have felt like a lifetime. But, finally, it's h... Read more

  4. Reviewer: photo.net
    30 November 2007

    Hannah Thiem The Sony Alpha A700 is competitive in terms of price, performance and features with cameras such as the Canon EOS 40D , $1133 ( review ), Pentax K20D , $1080 ( review ), and the Nikon D80 , $1000 ( review ). The Sony system of lenses and accessories is smaller than Pentax's and much smaller than Canon's and Nikon's. The A700's main advantage over similar priced bodies from Canon and Nikon is the built-in image stabilization, though the Pentax K20D not onl... Read more

  5. Sony Alpha DSLR-A700

    Reviewer: Digitaltrends
    27 November 2007
    Overall 8
    8.0
     

    Let’s welcome Sony to the top ranks of the D-SLR universe. The alpha DSLR-A700 is an excellent camera and I recommend it without reservation. Although I used it with a killer lens available in a $1,800 USD kit, the camera performed at those nose-bleed prices. In other words, you won’t feel stiffed if you lay down that much cash. I really want to get my hands on the 10MP ($1,299 USD body only) and the new 12MP ($1,799 USD body only) to see if Sony really has a tops... Read more

  1. "Camera for the money"

    Reviewer: Rene T, CameraWorld.com
    2 weeks ago
    Overall 10
    10
     

    Sony built this camera with all the good things that I can be compare to canon and nikon, performnce was excellent, I will recommend this to my friends. Read more

  2. Best camera I've owned!

    Reviewer: msk53, Bestbuy
    25 July 2008
    Overall 10
    10
     

    "This is my first digital SLR camera and I love it! I planned on purchasing a less expensive Sony camera, but when I picked this one up and tried it out...I was sold. I chose the Sony brand because it's compatible with my Minolta SLR lenses (since Sony bought out Minolta). I've had two Minolta film SLR's over the past 20 years and I probably will never use them again now that I have the Sony Alpha 700. It focuses so fast, it's amazing. It actually freezes a hummingbir... Read more

  3. Reviewer: Amateur shutterbug, Ritz Camera
    22 July 2008
    Overall 10
    10
     

    Bought this camera because I owned the Minolta Maxxum 5 and already owned several lenses that would fit this one. Economical in that respect. This camera met all of my expectations and then some. I use this primarily for family photos and nature shots and all I can say is excellent resolution even from long distances using the 18-200 sony lense. No complaints other than wish this model had the automatic popup flash. Read more

  4. Worst Camera I've ever used!

    Reviewer: BiteDownHard, Ciao
    07 May 2008
    Overall 2
    2.0
     

    This camera is one of the worst camera I have ever used! I thought this would be a good camera to kick off my career as a photographer but when I bought it, it was way to over priced, the zoom on it was very fuzzy and the quailty was just overall bad. Since it's a sony you would think that it would be a good kind of camera but honestly when I bought it, i immediatley wanted my money back! It was very easy to use and the design looked nice but everything else just kind... Read more

  5. A very good mid-range DSLR for that price!

    Reviewer: frederick355, CNET
    12 January 2008
    Overall 9
    9.0
     

    I bought this camera 3 days ago and went through it instruction manual and tried the camera with Sony kit lens and ex-Minolta Dynax lenses. They performed well. The kit lens is pretty good but not outstanding and the Carl Zeiss would be better of course. The camera body is made in Japan and that is what I like most. Up coming A 200 will compliment this A 700 and the new lenses line up is more than enough to satify most fussy photographers. Sony is indeed coming up fas... Read more

  1. Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 ugly!

    forum.dpreview.com: Read more

  2. sony A100 Vs Canon EOS400D

    forum.dpreview.com: Read more

  3. What DSLR as a step up from my Minolta A1

    forum.dpreview.com: Read more

  4. Sony A100 Vs Canon EOS 400D

    forum.dpreview.com: Read more

Other Products

Users who looked at this product also looked at these:

  1. Pentax K20D
    Freakscore: 10
    Best price: $944
    Pentax K20D
  2. Sony DSLR-A350
    Freakscore: 9.4
    Best price: $629
    Sony DSLR-A350
  3. Nikon D300
    Freakscore: 9.7
    Best price: $1,469
    Nikon D300
  4. Canon EOS 450D / EOS Rebel XSi
    Freakscore: 9.3
    Best price: $574
    Canon EOS 450D / EOS Rebel XSi

Video Reviews

  • cameralabs: Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 preview Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 preview Length: Play Video
  • cameralabs: Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 review Sony Alpha DSLR-A700 review Length: Play Video
Price comparison partners:
PriceScan.com  Shopping.com
Show additional offers
Hide additional offers
More grades
Less grades
Collapse all sections
Expand all sections
Read More/Edit
See Less
See More